Multicomputer Architecture

• Multicomputer = nodes + network

• Node = processor(s) + local memory

• Access to local memory is cheap

  • 10s of cycles; does not involve network
  • Conventional memory reference

• Access to remote memory is expensive

  • 100s or 1000s of cycles; uses network
  • Use I/O-like mechanisms (e.g., send/receive)

Previous slide

Next slide

Back to first slide

View graphic version